Rains started in the south in late March and progressed northwards in April, allowing land preparation and planting of the first maize crop. Seasonably dry conditions prevail in the extreme north.
Following a government appeal for international assistance to cover the needs of populations affected by a poor crop and attacks by African Migratory Locusts in late 1997, an emergency food operation has recently been approved by WFP to provide 6 000 tonnes of relief food to 210 000 people in the extreme north for a period of 3 months. The cereal import requirement for 1997/98 (July/June) is estimated at 250 000 tonnes of wheat and rice and 10 000 tonnes of coarse grains.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (2 June)
Following an above average cereal harvest in 1997, the food supply situation is satisfactory. Refugees from Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Chad reside in the Central African Republic. For the 1998 marketing year (January/December), the cereal import requirement is estimated at about 40 000 tonnes, mainly wheat and rice.
CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF * (2 June)
The food supply situation is critical in the east where insecurity persists and severe malnutrition is reported among the remaining refugees. Prospects for the B-season crop, to be harvested soon, are unfavourable due to shortages of seed and insecurity. Increased civil strife in both North and South Kivu has resulted in considerable population displacements and impeded normal agricultural activities. In addition, an influx of refugees from Burundi has been reported in South Kivu.
Flooding caused by heavy rains in early 1998 has also affected food supplies and impeded the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Food prices have increased sharply.
Following the civil strife in 1997, which severely disrupted food marketing activities and caused large-scale displacement of the population, especially from urban to rural areas, the situation appears to be on track towards recovery and reconstruction. It is estimated that the population of Brazzaville reached about 80 percent of its pre-war level, up from 70 percent in late 1997. Most of the estimated 50 000 refugees in the DRC have returned. However, food prices remain high due to transport and marketing constraints.
The staple foodcrops are sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains. Some 10 000 tonnes of wheat and rice are imported annually. The food aid requirement in 1998 is estimated at 2 000 tonnes of wheat.
The staple foodcrops are cassava and plantains, the production of which is estimated at about 330 000 tonnes. Production of cereals in 1997, mainly maize, is estimated at around 25 000 tonnes. The country imports the bulk of its wheat and rice requirement which is estimated at 82 000 tonnes. No food aid is necessary